Carton-sealing machine



July 23, 1957 H. G. ALLEN 2,799,861

CARTON-511111111; MACHINE Filed July 2e, 1954 11 sheets-sheet 1 July 23, 1957 v H. G. ALLEN 2,799,861

CARTON-SEALING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1954 1l She=.t,s-She e\`l 2 Y INI/ENTOR: foward Milan BY ifa-mg;

ATTURAEKS:

July 2 3, 1957 .H. G. ALLEN 2,799,861

cARToN-sEALING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1954 11 sheets-sheet s IHIIIHHH 1N V EN TOR:

11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 26, 1954 INVENTOR- I Afrox/vim'.

jyowaraf BY H. G. ALLEN CARTON- July 23, 1957 SEALING MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 2e, 1954 July 23, 1957 H. G. ALLEN 2,799,861

' cARToN-sEALING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1954 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 `L INVENTOR Il, Y Howardllelz ATTURNEXS'.

H. G. ALLEN CARTON-SEALING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 26, 1954 INV-ENTOR.'

bwardyllezz BY @da AITOBAEXS.

July 23, 1957 H. G. ALLEN 2,799,361

CARTON-SEALING MACHINE" Filed July :26, 1954 11 sheets-sheet a Fly . 1N V EN T 0R. lyon/m22? @film BY M July 23, 1957 H. G. ALLEN cARToN-sEALING MACHINE ll Sheets-SheetI 9 Filed July 26, 1954 INVENTOR.'

[zujard G. llera BY ATTORMEYS.

H. G. ALLEN CARTON-SEALING MACHINE July 23, 1957 Fild 'July 26, 1954 l1 Sheets-Sheet l0 IN V EN TOR:

Howard @llen July 23, 1957 H. G. ALLEN 2,799,861

CARTON-SEALING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1954 11 sheets-sheet 11 /CRd/ BY v g Arnim tnt Patented July 23, 17957 CARTON-SEALING TVIACHINE Howard G. Allen, Stonington, Conn., assigner to Bosttch, Inc., Stonington,V Conn., a corporationiot Rhode lisiand Application.luiyza-issa-serin Naai-25,531

ze Claims. (ci. i-iei) This invention relates to machines for sealing closed containers such as corrugated flberboard cartons or the like by applying staples vto the folded flaps or other closure parts to secure them in place.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine embodying yone or more staplingor stitcher-heads 4for applying staples to the closures of a container by -driving them therethrough and clinching them on the inside of the container, with means for automatically vactuatingthe stitcher-head or heads as a container is fed into position for operation thereon bythe stapling mechanism.

Another object is Vto provide a machine having -dual stitcher-heads, one-positioned to operate on the upper part or top -of the container and anotherhead located therebeneath for stapling the closures on the bottom o'f the container.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated having means nfor valternately -lowering and raising the upper stitcher-head Vto adapt it Vtofintermittently apply staples to the closures on the top of the'con'- tainer as said 7container is fed therebeneath and staples are applied on itsunder side -by thelower head.

Another object is -to provide means for supportingV :the containers Vto feed beneath the upper stitcher-head, and

`means for engaging againstthe sides of a container to locate and hold it in position for operation thereon by both heads.

Another object is to provide means operated -automatically by thellowering of the upper stitcher-head'into contact wtih acontainer or carton for starting theoperation of the stitching mechanism to apply the .staples vto the folded naps-of the carton.

Another object is -to provide meansfor releasing the locating and holding means from ythe `container after each cycle of operation of the stapling mechanism and simultaneously raising the upper stitcher-head slightly thereabove to adapt the container to be Vfed forwardly therebeneath.

Another object is to provide a machine ofthe present type having a table for supporting containersthereon to be fed therealong either manually or by automatic feeding means for applying a series of staples thereto on the top and bottom thereof.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes one preferred form of construction of a machine, by way of example, for accomplishing the objects herein mentioned-as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front 'elevational view of the complete machine showinga pair of stapling units or stitcher-heads mounted respectively above and below a table on which the containers may be fed into position to be stapled;

Fig. 2 is a side velevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational viewof lthe upper stitcher-head or stapling unit showing its driving connections and a portion of the mechanism for automatically starting the operation ofthe staple-applying means;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the stitcher-head or stapling unit showing the actuator or trip-lever for starting the operation of the staple-applying means;

Fig. 5 is a rearward view of the same showing a portion of the clinching means for the driven staples and also Vthe driving connections for the head;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the front portion of the stitcher-head showing the staple-driver in inoperative raised position;

Fig. 7 is a similar sectional view showing the stapledriver at the end of its downward stroke for driving a staple through the overlapped aps of a container;

Fig. 8 is a part-sectional View of the rotary cam for' lactuating means in operative relationship;

Fig. ll is a View of the same looking in the opposite directionvfrom that of Fig. l0 and showing 4the clutch- ,means engaged for driving the stapling mechanism;

Fig. l2 is an elevational Vview in reducedscale showing the ca m `.and illustrating its cooperative relationship to ,certain electrical switches in the circuits for controlling the voperation of the vstitcher-heads;

.-Fig. ,13 is a similar View showing the cam turned yto position lfor actuating the switch in the Acircuit for controlling the drive to the lower stitcher-head;

Fig. 141s a side elevational View part-sectional through the front of .the upper stitcher-head showing'the actuator vor trip-lever as moved by contact with the top of a carton for connecting the clutch with the cam to initiate the operation of said head;

Fig. l5 isa similar view showing the clutch-operating means for the upper head returned to position for de- V.clutching the cam;

4position forconnecting the clutch with the cam;

Fig. 18 `is a side elevational view of the -pneumatically- Voperated means for traversing the carton-engaging memberstoward eachother` crosswise of the table for locating vand .holding the carton 'in position to `receive staples .applied bythe stitcher-heads;

Fig. 19 is a detailed viewofthecarriage for movably supportingthe upper stitcher-head on the vertical column showing the track on the column and the roller guiding means for `mounting the carriage to slide up and, down on the column; 4

Fig. y20 is a detailed view of .thesolenoid-operated means for engaging the clutch to connect the motor to operate the lifting means for the upper stitcher-head;

jFig. 2l is a vertical-sectional view through the clutchmeans Yfor connecting Vthe motor to drive the liftingmeans for .the upper head;

Fig. '22 is a plan View of the carton-supporting table showing thearrangement'of the feed-rollers to provide. an opening through which the lower stitcher-head may apply `the staples;

Fig. Y23 isa detailed elevational viewshowing the means for supporting one side of the Vfeed-table from Vthe vertical column;

Fig.,24is a view Vof the pedal-operated switch for `closing the electrical circuit that operates `the machine;

.Fig 25 is a wiring diagram showing theseveral branch lelectrical circuits, switches, relays, and solenoids for Figs. 26 to 29 are schematic-diagrammatic views of the electrically-operated units and their branch circuits.

In general, the present automatically-operated container-sealing machine comprises a support for the containers which may be in the form of a table -having rollers for adapting the containers to slide thereon, Vr in other cases traveling conveyor-belts, not shown herein; a stitcher-head underlying the top of the'table for operation through an openingy therein; a column rising above the table for movably supporting an upper stitcherhead adapted to be lowered against the top of a container on the table; an actuator or trip-lever for contacting the top of the container to initiatethe operaion of boh'stitchenheads, or the upper one singly if so desired; a continuously running motor foreach stitcherhead; clutch-means forV connecting said motors to operate the staple-applying means in said heads; mechanical means for actuating the clutches; solenoids for operating Vsaid mechanical actuating means; switches in the circuits to said solenoids; and means for automatically closing said switches to energize the solenoidsV in predetermined order for controlling vthe operation of the vvarious mechanisms of the complete machine.,

Referring to Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, a table 2 `is adapted to support the containers to feed therealong Yfor applying a series of staples to the top and bottom flaps thereof by means of dual stitcher-heads; one mounted below and the other above the table. The table V2 may consist of a bed or platform constructed as a framework of angle-iron having horizontal side rails 3 and an end rail 4. Two legs 5 support one side of the table 2 vat to adapt the latter to drive the staples upwardly therethrough for insertion into the flaps on the bottom of the carton. The rollers 41 of one set extend substantially the full width of the table 2 with their end-journals 42 supported in holes in suitable angle-irons 44 overlying the side rails 3. Located at either side of the opening in the top of the table 2 are two series of shorter rollers having their end-journals 46 held in bearings 47 constituted by holes in angle-iron side strips 48. The angle-iron strips 48 at either side of the opening 40 form rectangular frameworks 49 supported from the side rails 3 and end rail 4 of the table 2. For this purpose the angleiron strips 48 are connected by longitudinally-extending at strips fastened at their ends to plates 51 and 52. The plates 51 are fastened to and supported ,on the end member 4 of the table 2 while the plates 52 are similarly supported by angle-irons 53 projecting from the opposite side Strips 3. It will be noted Vthat each framework 49 f is narrowed at the end adjacent the full length rolls 41 so that the end roller of each set of shorter rollers 45 is of still less length to provide a wider opening at this end of the main opening 40 for Vaccommodating the clincher-means of the lower stitcher-head 25 as later explained.

opposite ends thereof while the opposite side of the table Y is supported'from a vertical column 10 mounted on a pedestal 11. The pedestal 11 Vmay comprise suitable overlapping plates 12 and 13 with radially-extendingk members 14 for bracing the column above'its base. The

means for supporting one side of the table 2 from the column l'consists in a bracket 15(Figs. 22 and 23) 1 having a bifurcated portion 16 joined to looped rods 17 encircling the column with their ends engaging through holes in the bracket and secured thereto by nuts 18.

n The bracket 15 is constructed with a laterally-projecting Vsplit bearing 19 for supporting a horizontal arm in the form `of a rod 20 held inthe bearing byV clamping its split portion therearound with bolts 21. The arm or rod 20 provides means for supporting the lower stitcherhead 25 beneath the top of the table 2 in Vaccordance Vwith the arrangement later described. The rod 20 also Y serves VVas the means for supporting the side of thertable 2 fromY the column 1?. As shown in Fig. 23, an upright plate-like member 26 is formed with a bearing portion 27 shaped to overlie and partly encircle the top of the rod 20 with a lower clamping portion 28 engaging around the bottom of the rod with suitable bolts 29 for fastening the parts together to iixedly secure the member 26 in place.

Abutting-the side of the upright member 26 above the rod 20 is a plate 30 adjustably secured thereto by means of bolts 31 passing through elongated slots 32 in said member. A lug 33 projects from the side of the plate 30 with a set-screw 34 therein engaging against the bearing 19V of the bracket 15. A check-nut 35 engaging the threads of the screw 34 is seated against the lug 33 to lock said screw from turning. The plateY 30 forms the support for the side of the table 2, being fastened at the top to the angle-iron side rail 3, previously mentioned. Through this arrangement, by loosening the bolts 31 the set-screw 34 may be turned for raising or loweringV the plate 30 to thereby adjustthe height of one side of the table 2 for leveling it.

The top of the table 2 may be provided with suitable rollers adapted to support the cartons for feeding them therealong into operative relationship with the stitcher- ,heads that apply the staples to the top and bottom closures; it being noted that a portion of the table top is providedwith an opening at 40 Yabove the stitcher-head The upper stitcher-head is arranged-to travel vertically on the column 10 to adapt it to be lowered into contact with theV top of a container or carton on the table 2, the head being mounted ona slidable carriage V56 (Figs. l and 19) embodying a horizontally-projecting arm 57 from which the head is suspended. The carriage Vvertical plates 62 carried by the forked portion of the carriage 56. Additional -rollers 63 engage the outer sides of the rails Y'as shown'most clearly in Fig. `19. By this'means the upper stitcher-head 55 is mounted for ltraveling up and down on the column 10 under the control of a'substantially continuousrlooped chainA 65 having its end portionsfastened to the carriage 56in any suita- Y Y ble manner.

The chain 65 extends around any upper drive-sprocket 66 4with itsopposlte parallel lengths reachingV downwardly around an idler-sprocket 67 suitably journaled on a bearing bracket V68 fastenedV to thel side of the column 16.

The upper stitcher-head 55 may be raised above the table 'Y 2 by traveling the chain-65 to slide the carriage 56 upwardly through lrotation of the upper drive-sprocket 66. i

The sprocket 66 is` mounted Vfast on a shaft 69 carrying azdrive-pulley 70 at its oppositeV end for lrotating said shaft. The shaft 69 is journaled in suitable bearings in a framework 71 at the top of the column 1t) (Fig. l) with Ythe pulley 70normally free to rotate on'said lshaft and adapted to be drivingly connected thereto by 'means of a multiple-plate clutch 72, shown in detail in Fig. 21. An electric motor 75 mounted on the frameworkfi at the top of the column 10 and driven continuously when the complete machine is operating has a .belt-pulley 76 on the end of its shaft 77 connected by a pair of V-belts V73 to an Y Vintermediate pulley 80 fast on a countershaft 81. Vshaft l'carries a smaller pulley 82 connected by a pair .of belts S3 to the drivingpulley 7G on the shaft 69, Vpre- The viously described as carrying the chain-driving sprocket 66. Preferably, the shaft 81 for the 'pulley 80 is mounted for adjustment both outwardly and upwardly with respect to the driving pulley Y"76 for regulatingthe tension of the several belts 78 and 83, Ythe bearings for the shaft being slidable in'slotted'members 84 and 85V (Fig. 2) kmounted above the framework 71.

Referring to Fig. 2l, the clutch 72 may be of any preferredV type and, as herein shown, it comprises a plurality or" driving disks 37 keyed to a longitudinally slitted -The piston 151`is provided the fluid to ow therethrough during its upward stroke, g a nap-valve 163 on its under side acting to closersaid openings during its descent.

The means for centering thecontainers on the table 2 to aline them in proper relation to the stitcher-heads for .f driving the staples through the top and bottom ilapsrtherewith openings 162 to adapt of is arranged as next described. Horizontal pressure- :bars 170 (Figs. 1VV 2 and -18)j are mounted at opposite Ysidesofthe table 2 'on rods 171 projecting upwardly from carriages 172 and 173,slidably supported to move toward each other. The rods '171 are held in bearings formed on the'carriages 172 and 173 with the pressure-bars 170 attached to their upper ends byclamps 174 encircling the `rods andbolted to the bars at thedrear: The'carriages 172 and 173 are mounted to slide on horizontal'ways comprising an' upperrcylindrical rod 175 and a lower parallel square rod 176 each supported at one end by Y a plate'177 bolted to and depending from lthe side rail 3,

the ends of said rodsfhaving threaded portions inserted through holes v in said plate and fastened theretoby nuts 178. Thefopposite ends yof the rods 175 and 176 are -similarly held in the vertical wall 179 of a casing 184) mounted on the side of the plate 30, previously mentioned as forming part of the support for one side ofthe table 2. The carriages 172 and 173 are propelled toward each the outer end 'of the cylinder 202 it-wi11`forcethe piston t 201 inwardly thereof to move the carriage 172 toward the f right, as viewed infFig. 18, therebygtraveling the upper reach of the chain-1,85 in the same direction with its lower other ralong therods 175 and 176 by means of an endless chain 185 engaging around sprockets 186 and 187 having their-shaftsV 188 journaled in suitable bearings 189 and 190 bolted to the upright plates 3d and 177.

The' upper reach ofthe chain 185 is fastened to the carriage 172 by a clamping element 195 bolted thereto,

` while the lowerreach` of the chain is fastened to the carriage 173 by a clamping element 196.V It will thus be apparent that when Vthe Vupper length of the chain is moved to the right. and the lower chain to the left, as

Yviewed Vin Fig. 18, the two carriages 1,72 and 173 will be drawn togetherfwhereas, when the chain is traveled Yin the opposite direction the two carriages will be caused Vto recede from the center `of the table 2 and away from thefsides of a container or carton of any particular size. In order to regulate the extent of separation of the carriages 172 and 173 and thereby the bars 179 carried thereby, Aa stop-member 199 (Fig- 18) is adjustably mountedV on the lower rod 176 on which the carriages slide.

A thumb-screw '261i in the stop-member V199 is formed with a reduced end adapted to engage in holes in the bottomV of the rod 176 to clamp the stop-member in Vadjusted position so that the carrage'172 will engage thereagainst to arrest the receding movement of the two carriages YThe chain 185 is traveled in opposite directions to thereby slide the carriages 172V and 173, respectively, toward and away from each other by means of a pneumatically-actuated piston 281 slidable in a cylinder 2112.

:A rod 203 connected to the piston 2131 projects through a stuiing-box in the end of thefcylinder 282 with its free Y through a manually-adjustable pressure-control valve 210 mounted on the side of the column 1-with a hose 211 leading downwardly therefrom to a four-way valve 215 on a plate 216 depending from the plate 30. The valveV 215 is operated Yby a solenoid 214 as later explained. From the valve 215 a pipe or hose 217 leads 'to the outer vend-of the cylinder 2412 with a second hose 218 communieating with the opposite end of said cylinder. Referring to Fig. 18, when air is admitted through-the hose 217 to reach movingin the opposite direction to travel the carriage 173 towards'the left; During this travel Vof the carriages 172 and 173 toward each other the pressure-bars 170 will be moved into contact with the sides Vof a carton on the table 2 to centralize it inV proper relation to the upper and lowerstitcher-heads and retain it in this position under yieiding pressure while staplesV are applied to the top and bottom of the container. VWhen an operative cycle of each stitcher-head is completed to apply single staples at the top and bottom ofthe carton the valve 215 is actuated to reverse the pressure in the cylinder 202V and the piston 2111 will b'e moved to the left,'as viewed in Fig. 18, to slide the carriages apart until the carriage 172 brings up against the stop-element 19,9in whatever position the latter is adjusted for causingV the pressurebars 170 to recede slightly from Athe sides ofthe container. The direction of application ofthe pressure in the cylinder 202 is reversed under the automatic control of the four-way valve 215 with its` solenoid supplied Vwith cur- Y rent from the branch circuit shown in the wiring diagram (Fig. 25) Vand later described; it being suicient to noteV here vthat the pressure-bars 176 engage ythe sides ofthe Y. container just prior to the application of the staples thereto and are released therefrom upon completion of each cycle of operation of the stitcher-heads to provide for feeding the container forwardiy intermittently in steps to properly space the staples along the top and bottom of the carton, v

Referring particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, vthe/two stitcher-heads 25 and 55'are `substantial duplicates andV Y generally of the same construction' and arrangement as that shown and described in my prior patent application, Serial No. V409,386 tiled February l0, 1954, now Patent No. V2,722,002, dated November l, 19755. Each head consists in a framework 225 mounted in perpendicular relation to a` horizontal staple-magazine 226 adapted toV contain a large supply ofV U-shaped' staples s (Fig. 3). A spring-operated pusher 227 Vof usual construction` is slidable on a central core 228 that supports the staples in straddled relationship therealong to feed them to a reciprocable driver 231i which drivesV theirV legs through the carton flaps or other closure parts ofV a container or carton Xindicated by dash-lines in Fig. 2,Y Suitable means are provided for reciprocating the staple-driver 23), and'whereas in my prior application manually operative means are shown for this purpose, in the present machine the stapling mechanisms are operated by power means. The staple-driver 236 is attached at 231 toa reciprocating plunger 232 (Figs. 6 and 14) that is slid- Vably mounted on suitable ways 233 onthe framework of Y the head, the upper head only being described herein since both Vheads are of substantially the same construction as previously indicated. The plunger 232 is reciprocated by a link 234 connected topa rotary member 235 which is constructed in the form of a cam (Figs. 8-11) and also constituted as a crank-element. A crank-pin 236 projecting from the upper end of the' link-234 engages in t an eccentrically-located bushing 237 in the cam-member 235 with the lower end of the link pivotally connected to the end of a stud 238 held in the plunger'232. The cam 'i 235 is mounted normally free to Vrotate on a drive-shaft 2411 and connected torbe driven therefrom by-means of a clutch-annulus 241 (Figs. 9 and 11).

The cam 235 and clutch-annulus 241 are held on the end of the shaft 240 by a headed screw 242, the shank of Vthe screw being received in a counterbore in theshaft with a ange on the head overlying Vthe end of a bushing 243 fast in the bore Vof the cam. The opposite end of the bushing 243 abuts the .side of the clutch-annulus 241 to hold it from displacement relatively to a bearing 244 which abuts its opposite side. u The shaft 241) constitutes 9 :thett'nain drive forg-ther'machine, itsforwar'd en'dfbeing .journaled in the' bearingA 244'tixedlyln1ounted in the frame :'2251of1the stitcher`headfr55 -vfithl therearward end. of the 'i shaft journaledf in a? Abeari-ng-245tin the overhangingrrearwardextension246 (Eig. 3) offthe frame. The shaft240 ,is driven :byl .azcontinuously: running electricmotor 250 (Fig. bysmeans-fof;pulleys` and belts as next described. Thef shaft 251 offthermotor5250-carriesa pulley 252'1connecte'dpby 1avebelt'253. toa larger pulleyi 254 which, :in itnrn, has tfastftherewithia smaller-pulley l255 'connected .by abelt2561toapulleyi257lkeyed at'-258ito the rearward endzof the drive-.shaftl240 (Fig. V3).

T/he. pulleys,- `254::and .255 are free to rotate on a stationaryishaftc259(Fig.3),.being held axiallythereof 5at .loneaend by. a 'collarf26.secured'z-tofsaid'shaft at 261 and ;atztheotheraendzbyiavfwasher 262abutting the -side of a ,pair of-supportingimembersll264and 265. Theend of :the :shaft i259 is-treducediin. diameter 4to' engage through -sl ots`263.(Fig. 5) in'ftheicrossing supportingmembers 5264;,and 265 that areffa'stene'd to the overhanging frame- ,work 246 of: the @machine by =bolts266y and-267. yAblt :1268 Lextending=down2 through the: topofthe member 265 andi-.threaded ;through afholez'in'the shaftf259 -serves 1as :means for` :adjusting the shaft longitudinally. of Vthe slots ;1-of;the:members;2614.and;265 for.tighteninglthe belts x253,

256 on1the severalipulleys mentionedzabove. "Theslotted zmembers264andtZSare ipermitted `to rocklabout the bolts-266 andv'267fduringa'djustment ofi-the'shaft 259 by floosening.saidzboltsfbefore.the shaft is slid lengthwise of lthe slots.in saidfmembers. A-nuti269 onsthe reduced vthreaded :end of :the `Sshaftl2591is :employed for Clamping it in adjustedV relationship.

Referringwparticula'rlyto Figs. 4-and 5, clinching `means .areprovided^forbending Vover'the legs 'of' the staples as zthey,are/driventhroughthe ilapsofa carton, the clincher- .devicesheeinishown beingiof :the -same construction vand :arrangement'as illustratedand described `in my prior pending applicationidentitied above,..comprising slidable anvil- Vblades. 276 (Fig. 5) reciprocable in inclined guideways on .the framev of the head v55. The blades270 are connected to levers 271.adapted to be oscillatedrby a reciprocable crossheadx2'72 shown by dotted lines inFig. 4; -this mechanism .not being further described in detail herein as 'it substantially duplicates that disclosed in my prior pending application. Suffice it to explain Aherein that the anvilblades 270 -are provided withneedle-like extensions 2'7'5 `which piercelthrough the material of the carton ilaps to position their recessed ends for'engagement with the projecting legs of a staple to clinch them on Vthe under side of the aps,-this action taking placeas the crossheadE'Z -is Vclutched to the reciprocating plunger 232- as the driver 23h carried thereby approaches the end of its stroke in driving the staple through the carton flaps.

The clutch-means Vfor connecting'the rotarycam 235 with the shaft 241B to actuate the staple-applying and clinching means'for a single operative cycle by one complete rotation of said shaft'is constructed and arranged asnext described. Referring to Figs. 9 and ll, the cam 235 is counterbored axially at 2"9 to receive the toothed clutch-annulusZl, previously mentioned, keyed fast'to the shaft 246 at 281. VThe periphery ofthe clutch-annulus 241 is provided with a plurality of `radially-projecting teeth 2.82 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 235 on the end .of a cylindrical element26 mounted to rotate in a transverse bore 287 inthe cam 235. The pawl 285 is formed onvthe end: of the element 286 by cutting away a portion thereof atl one side of its axistoprovide a'relatively sharp Y point 238 for Vengagement with a tooth 282 on the annulus -241 as shown in Fig. ll. Normally, the pawl 235 is resiliently held in disengaged relationship (Fig. 9) with its point V283 free from the teeth on 'the clutch-annulus V22H. Apin290 projecting acrossa slot 291 in the side ofthe rotary A'pand-'element '286 (Fig. 10) is engaged by lthe endiof a plunger 292 'vslidable inra bore Y293 infthe ffsi'deI of aflever'300-and-secured-fast theretoby a screw '5301,- 'thus'V providing ia pivotal-mounting forsaid lever.

The lever300` has its outer face lformed to acylind'rical contour "concentrici with they periphery of lthe cam "235' (Fig. 8) wherrlsaid leveris in normal position for restrain- `relationship of Athelever j300v takesplace asi the ca'm 235 isfrotated to'engagelt-hearcuate face of thelever witlra rol-ler SGS carried at the end of a'slidable control-rod306 (Figs. 3, vl3'a'nd'14). Astherlever s'carried 'into' .inoperative Arelationship "during *its angular L4movement throughout a portion ofthe rotationJ of the'cam23'5'I the `pinf294 on therotary element 295will` slide the' plunger "-292into-`the position :shown inFigs. 8 and 9 to cause 'its opposite--endtomo've thef'pinl290 `and rotate the'el'ement l^286'--for i'disengagingthe pavvl285 from'a tooth'on the clut/eh-annulus *241. @pposing the laction of theV` sliding =plunger'292is a similar'plun'ger 307 which slides in'the Vsame bore'f2r3;l this 'latter'plunger v'307 being axially bored to receive a"helical spring '38`withits end Vengaginga pin""309 extending across the bore 293in the cam 235. Thespring 308 actstoslidethe plunger'307 to rotate fthe `member '236 into the positionillustrated in "Figc `ll `for engaging the'pointed' end288`ofthe pawl`285 witha tooth 282onthe'iclutchaannulus 241;: this action` taking place "-when the `member 295'isrotate`d"byfthe lever 300 to shift :itsfpin 294^forreleasingftheplunger"292 so that Athe plunger'lTcan'slideunderthe force ofthe spring 308. -A button'302 riveted"to"`the"en`d of thellever '300 serves V`as"a'stoplforpreventing'the cam 235 from'turning ahead after it has'beendeclutched from'the shaft'24ti,'the button Y1beingadapted"to engagethe roller 365 (Fig. y9) should the cam tend tocreep around theclutch-annulus 241.

The rol1'305iis released from the lever 300 to cause the cam 235 tolbe'clutchedto the'shaft 24) by sliding therodt'l toward the'fright'as' viewed in Figsfll and 15 through the "actuation of means next described. vIt'has been statedfthat the operation ofthe staple-applying means of 'both stitcheriheads'25 vand"`55 is initiated by a feeler yor contactmeanscarried'bythel'upper head55 and en- -gageable 'with' the topof a'carton assaidheadis lowered into operative'relation'thereto 'Referring'toFigs-I and 4,

the upper h'ead'EiScarriesA afeeler ortriplever 310 having `its hub 311pivotl'ly mounted at the' front 0f the machine on astud 312. VThe"trip-lever Bill extends downwardly from itsipivot in a vstraight length with an extension 313 curved upwardly therefrom to terminate a Vslight distance belowa rod 314 (Figs. '3 and `l5).forming onefarm of a right-angular lever'i3li'5- AThe'lever'31`5hasa relatively v`atvertical varm 316 formed Awith aslot 317 through which projects a stud '31'8 .for Ypivotally and slidably mounting the lever on Athe overhanging framework .246 of the machine. -Through this means the lever 315 is rockably mounted while also'being-adapted to slide up `and down to a limited extent on itspivot-stud A318. A helical spring 32h-suspended Vfrom the slidable controlrod 306, previously described, has its lower end hooked around the rearward end of theV rod 314 to norrnallyhold the lever 315 .in raised relationship -as shown in Fig. 3.

yto slide past when the lever 315 `is carried f opposite end held by a cotter pin 324 whereby the spring normally tends to slideV said rod to the left to engage A its rollerY 305 with the clutch-actuating lever 300. A Y washer 325 fastened to the end of the rod 306 by a bolt v326 engages the end of the bearing 323 to limit `the slid-fA 316 of the lever 315, Ysee'Fig. 14; it being here noted`- that the lower end of the lever 330 is cutaway on its rearward side at 334 toadaptthe end of the arm 316 downwardly 4through means later described..

. A vertically-extending rod 335 (Figs.l 3, 12 and 13) A having an angular portion 336 at its lower end hooked through a hole in the arm 316 of the lever-315 and held by a Cotter pin 337 is mounted with its upper end slidable through an enlarged hole 338 in a rib 339 of the framework 246. The upper extremity of the rod 335 is' engaged by an angle-iron member 340 Welded or otherwise suitably secured tora rod 345 rockably mounted'in bearings 346 and 347 on the framework 246. Referring to Figs. 12, 13 and 14, the rockable rod 345 carries a lever 348 fastened thereto by a screw 349, the lower end of said lever mounting a roller 350 journaled on a stud 351 (Fig. 14). A helical spring 352` fastened to an ear 353 on the angle-iron member 340 reaches downwardly therefrom with its lower end hooked throughk a wire loop 354 on the control rod 306, the tension of Vsaid spring tending to rock the rod 345 to maintain the Vlever 348 with its roller 350 bearing against the periphery of :the cam 235, as shown in Fig. 12. Formed on or fastened to the cam 235 is a lobe 355 projecting from its Vrim in arcuate peripheral contour to adapt it for engagement with the roller 350 to'force it outwardly and rock the lever 348 counterclockwise as indicated in Fig. 13. This latter motion of the 1ever348 acts to rock the rod 345 torswingthe upper end of the angle-member 340 against a slidable push-button 356 projecting from a switch 357 (Figs. l2 and 13) for closing the circuit to the electrical'means for controlling the operation of .the lower stitcher-head as later described. YReferring to Fig. l2, a switch 360 is provided with a push-button 361 projecting therefrom for engagement by a lever 362 pivoted to a bearing 363 and carrying a roller 365 journaled at its upper end for engagement by the lobe A 355 on the cam 235. A set-screw 366 screwed through a boss on the lever 362 provides means for adjusting its head to Vregulate its contact with the push-button 361.`

It should be explained that'theV actuator or trip-lever 310 is provided with an angular armY 318 carrying an adjustable screw 319 adapted to engage and depress a pushbutton 370 for a switch 371 which controls the downward movement of the upper stitcher-head 55 in the manner as later explained..

VThe operation of the lower head 25 is controlled by substantially the same mechanism as that employed for the upper head 55. Referring to Figs. 16 and 17, the

lower head 25 is driven by a drive-shaft 380 connected Vby pulleys and belts, indicated generally at 381 in Fig. 2, to a continuously runningmotor 385. A cam 386 of 4the same construction and arrangement as that employed Vin the upper head 55 is clutched to the shaft 380 by the release of a control-lever 387 which is normally -held inoperative by a roller 388 carried at the end of `a slidable rod 390 (Fig. 16).` The rod 390 is slidably mounted in bearings 391 and 392 and normally urged toward the Vright to engage the roller 388 with the controLlever 387 4,by a spring 393 coiled around the rod. A shift-lever 395 connected by a link 402 to the shorter arm 403 of a Y bell-crank lever 405.` A vertical `rod 406 slidable through a lower bearing 407 is pivotally connected at 408 to the bell-crank lever 405. A helical spring 410 surrounding the rod 406 and compressed between the bearing 407 and a washer 411 pinned to the rod at 412 Ytends to rock the bell-crank lever 405 counterclockwise with its mo- Vtion limited by means of nuts 413 on the lower threaded end of the rod 406 engagingthe bearing 407. 'Ihe bellcrank lever 405 is rocked clockwise for drawing the lever 400 toward the left as indicated in Fig. 17 by means of an armature-plunger 415 kpivotally' connected to the long arm of the bell-crank'lever and slidable by attraction into a solenoid 416. Referring to Fig. 17, Vthe solenoid 416 is energized by closing the switch 357, pre-V viously described, by action of the lever 348 (Fig. 13)

that is rocked `by engagement of its roller 350 with the Alobe 355 on the cam 235 in the upper head 55. As the armature 415 is drawn downwardly into the solenoid 416 to swing the lever 400 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 17, the lower end of said lever will rock the shift-lever 395 into the position shown by dotted lines in this latter view to slide the rod 390 in the same direction and remove the roller 388 from the clutch control-lever 387. In this manner the lever 387 is released to cause the cam 386 to be clutched to the drive-shaft 380 in the same manner as explained in connection with theoperation of the clutch-means for the upper head 55. Consequently, the crosshead of the lower stitcher-head 25 will be reciprocated from the cam 386 for operating the staple-applying means to drive a staple Ythrough the flaps on the bottom of the carton with their legs clinched on the interior thereof in the same manner as described in connectionwith the upper stitcher-head 55.

Electrical current is supplied to the machine from power-line conductors connected with diiferent circuits for operating the motors and other electrical devices asY indicated in the wiring diagrams, Figs. 25-29. For con- Y venience of manual control a pedal-operated switch 420 (Fig. 24) may be employed for connecting the machine with the source of current. As shown in this latter View,

the switch 420 is of a type having two sets of poles with Ytheir contacts 421-421 and 422-422 connected respec- K 436 with its oppositeend anchored to a pin or abutment 437 on the leg 5. Pivoted on the pin 431 at one side of the shorter arm of the lever 430 is a block-like member 438 that is formed with, or has attached thereto, an upwardly-projecting arm 440 adapted to be engaged with the end of the push-button 425 for actuating the switch 420. A helical spring 441 pocketed in a bore 442 in the member 438 tends to rock the latter to engage its arm 440 against one flange of the angle-iron leg 5 and maintain it disengaged from the switch-button 425. A projecting lug 445 at the end of the pedal 430 normally engages with the member 438 whereby when the pedal is depressed it will rock said member clockwise to carry its arm 440 against the push-button 425 and slide the latter to actuate .a-reagent@ drive gfrom the shaft169 to arrestthe :upward Ytravelmf the rod 144) with the lever 141 is arranged to engageiand depress the push-buttono. :The auxiliary limit; switch 3175V is connected in vcircuitwith a; push-button: switchj-37 7 .,(Figl) mounted-,onthe'framework 71 at the'topof the column 10. .'The'purposefof the;pushbutton switch 377 is top rovide for .manual control .of Vthe 4upward travel l.erlitt ofthe-carriage 62 ,and stitcher-head l55, the auxjiliarylimit.switch`375,being .connected to the solenoid .125 (Figs. 20,and 28) rfor clutching the drive to the shaft .,69carrying thegsproclet 6631er traveling the chain 65.

The methodof operation, of thispart of. theA machine c ontrol is ,more particularl'y/pointed ,out hereina ter inV the f explanation of the vvarious, electrical` circuits shown .bythe .diagrams Fies126-29.

Certain oftheelectricalydevicesthe timer and ,other 4relays are contained ina casing450 (Fig. l) supported gby thecolumn :10. -These elementsof the circuits are not illustrated graphicallyas ,to their arrangement in said casing,b ut are .shown diagrammatically in-Figs Z6-29.

llig. .isa substantially completediagram of the wiring `for connectingithe severalfelectrical .devices with their circuits, butto avoidcomplicating the drawing, only the motors, solenoids and switches are.,designat,ed by reference numerals; the relays'being identied by Vcode letters suchas TR for timer-,relavandCR for contact-relays.

Figs. 26-29,.on the.- otherl hand, illustrate the dilterent circuits in connection-.withthe switches for energizing the 'solenoids that Aoperate theme'chanicalclements of the machine control, these latter elements being shown schematically. For example, Fig. 26 showsthe `circuit to the y solenoid-operated valve -156 for the -hydraulic meanszthat f, controls thelowering ofthe upper .stitcher-head; and-l also the circuit to the .solenoid-operated valve .-215 forthe pneumatically-actuated piston .that adjusts the pressurebars l170 against the sides of a cartoni to locate and-holdrit in position-to ibe operated upon.

ysource connected by a main switch A (Fig. 2,6) to;line

conductors L1 and L2. The several motors-75, ZSdzand V3,85 which operate respectively the upper -stitCheI-head lift, the upper -stitcher-head 55 .and the lower stitcherhead'25 are indicated in the diagram of `lig. 25 as having theirl circuits connected to the power lines L1 andL2 by means of manually-operated-switches ;B, C and .D. To start the operation of Ythe machine the swtiches B, LC and D are closedA to energizethe circuitsfor driving the motors .75, 259 and 3,85 continuously.

A Acarton X, Vindicated by `dotted .lines in Fig. -1, is placed on the ,table 2 and the Amachine'started to operate by depressing the pedal 430 to close contacts 422m the switch F8420. Attthis juncture v`the solenoid S125 (Fig. 2,8) is de-energizedand the drive `fromthe motor 75 to shaft 69declutched so that/the sprocketz is free to turn to lower the head-55. When the contacts422 are closed, however, as indicated in Fig. 26, a circuit is formed for energizing thesolenoid S157 to open -the valve 156; said circuit comprising line L1, Vconductor a2, contacts 422 in`FS429,fconductor-a3, contact relay 2CR-1, conductor a4, solenoid S157, conductor a5 and line L2. With the v alve156 open the fluid flows therethrough to allow the 4piston 151 to ldescend in the cylinder 15@ as the head 55 moves downwardly Yunder the force of gravity. As the :piston :151 descends yin the cylinder 1150 the `dapper-valve Y163 is closed against its under side so `that the lluid is forced through the valve 156 and bvpassed frornreservoir clutch the-.cam 235-.tothe continuouslyfdriven drive-shaft its 160:into;heupperrend :of :the .cylinder .through pipe 161. iTne ,',descentZ vof the ;:stitcherhead; 55 .is thus eretardedtto preventzit'from strikingiorcibly.against-ethe top offithe -carton Xandas this contactismade the valve-'.156 4 is closed .(Eig. 27), vso thatft-hefluid-,willactA on thefpiston 151 to resiliently supportA the head-'55Y during its engage- ,-rnentwith the carton.

`During thelowering; of the. stitcher-headV 55 the n pres- VAst1rebars- 17tl are-moved toward eachotherto .contact opposite sides of the carton X under the pneumatic V)pressure on the; piston .-201 in thev cylinder `202,l as; pre- .yiously explained. The adjustment of'thepressure-bars A7174) is controlledfbyt-hefour-way valve.215actuated by V'the YsolerloidSZr.l The solenoid`S21j4 is energized by a :151

.circuit comprisingY line Ll, conductor a2, contacts l*422 in footswitch13.54120,y conductors a3, b2, 1CR-4 i in relay .1GR,.b3,1S 214, b4 andline L2. ,With-the valve 2 15adjustedvasindicated irl-Eig. `26,-airvis supplied to oneend Yofthe cylinder-292 to slidethe vpiston'Zl .to the left tendran/,ingthepressurehbars toward eachother into con- Avtact with the sides.. ofrthe container X and holding it in -positionto be operated upon.

`During the descent of the fstitcher-head-SS the trip- 1ever31t thereon contactsv thecarton X and .is pivoted upwardly to closelswitch 371 (Eig. 27) in .the circuit to .thezrelay 2CRsaid circuit comprisingline L1, conductors Qc2, gswitch 371,-c3,-relay ZCR, conductor c4,1and-1ine L2. As .the relay/ZCRis :energized the contacts j2CR-1 are Qpened-.tOAhereby tie-energize the-solenoid S157 ufor ,closing-.the valve .156; Lthislatter circuit .comprising the conductors'previously mentionedin connection i with the vdescription .of the. circuit. shown in fFig. 26. With .the

levalve -156clos red the .piston 151 reaches thevend .of its .descent to.resiliently support the. vupper stitcher-head 55 `in position for applying.staples :to the-top `of .the carton X.

As afiurtherresuloithe upwardpivoting of :the `tripylever-310.rocksvthe lever 315 (Fig. V27) -torslide the rod 3136 Iand thereby withdraw the roller.365 Vfrom the clutchactuating .lever, 30,0. The-.leverstisvthus Jreleased .to

.82,40 wforrotating it to `tacltuate -the stapleeapplving means .of the -head.55 :in Athe .manner previously ,explained in .connection with Figs. ,8-1-1. Rotation of thefcam 235 acts iirst \to close sWitch.357 .and energize `the circuit t0 ,solenoid S416 `for starting the .operation of the lower stitcher-.head.-2,5. :It has .beeneilrplained previouslythat solenoid yS416gfunctions-to rock .lever y405 to slide rod .39and withdraw roller.388 fromilever 387 to cause it `tochltch cam jr 336 Ato drive-shaft 38.0,vthisaction starting ,the operation ,off-.the lower. head 4,25. The circuitV includingswitch 357 and solenoid S416.. comprises the following .conductorsshown inFig. 27;i. e., L1, d2, switch 357, d3, S416, d4 and LZ.

After each stitcher-head 25 and 55 has operated through a. complete cycle to apply single staples tothe flaps on the top and bottom of thecarton X the 4cams 235 -and 386 are declutched from their drive-shafts and the upper Vhead 55 is lifted to a lslight extent tofree the carton X so that it maybe -fed forward. At this juncture the pressure-bars '170.are also withdrawn fromY the sides of thecarton by reversing the direction of the-air-pressure in the cylinder 2,02 to cause the piston 201 to be slid-to the right `as Viewed in Fig. 28. This action is elected by defenergizing thesolenoid S214 to adjust .the valve 215 -for .feeding -therpressure in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 28. As the Acam 235 nears the end of one completerrevolutioln its lobe 355 engages the roller 365 to rock the lever 362 (Fig. 28) and close vswitch 360. The closing of switch 360 acts'through a circuit including relay ICR to .close its contacts 1CR-1, ICR-2 and 1CR-3, thereby opening contacts ICR-4 to de-energize solenoid S214. This last-mentioned circuit comprisesline L1, Yconductor e2, switch 360, e3, relay ICR,

. e4 and line L2. instant as the cam 235 continues itsn rotation and the lobe 355 turns past the roller 365.

of the machine.` Y u A Y When it is desired to stop the operation of the machine .15 The switch 360'is closed for `onlyan Therefore, another circuit must be employed to maintain the relay ICR en-V ergized; this latter circuit comprising the following conductors, L1, f2, contacts TR-I, f3 to limit-switch LS142,

f4, ICR-1, f5, e3, relay ICR,V e4 and line L2. Thus relay Y ICR continues to be energized to maintain contacts 1CR-1,1CR2 and ICR-3 closed and contacts ICR-4V fopen@ Contacts ICR-2 are in a circuit for energizing solenoid S125 to control the clutch 72 Vfor connecting the motor 75 to drive shaft 69. This circuit comprises line L1, conductor g2, ICR-2, g3, h3, limit switch LS375, h4, sole-y noid S125,- h5 and L2.- Contacts ICR-3 are in a circuit for energizing a timer-relay TR which controls the extent of lift of the headr55 and thereby the time interval between repeated operationsl for applying single staples to the top and bottom of the carton. This circuit'comprises Y YV,conductors L1, i2, contacts ICR-3, 1'3, timer-relay TR,

' i4 and L2. These last described circuits are used to energize the relay 1CR and close its contacts, the ksolenoid S125 for actuating the clutch 72 and the timer-relay TR Vwhich delays the opening of all these several circuits.

It should be explained that the extent ofrlift of the upper stitcher-head 55 and therefore thertme interval before it starts to return to the carton isk controlled by the timer-relay TR. At this time the contacts ICR-1 are closed to maintain relay ICR energized and hold .4

contacts ICR-2 closed with the solenoid S125 energized for clutching the drive from motor 75 toV shaft69 carrying the sprocket 66 for traveling chain 65; the contacts ICR-3 also being closed to maintain the timer-relay TR energized. It'will thus be understood that the timer-relay. TR functions eventually to lde-energize the solenoid 125 toV de-clutch the drive from the shaft 69 and allow the head 55 to descend. 'Ihe action of the timer-relay is so timed as to break the vcircuit to the relay ICR for arresting the upward travel of the head 55 after the head has been lifted only a shorty distance above the carton.

The lifting'of-the upper Vhead 55 releases the trip- -lever 310 which drops by gravity to open switch 371.

ThisV breaks the circuit to de-energize the relay 2CR and thus causes contact 2CR-1 to be closed, thereby energizing solenoid `S157 to open'valve 156 in preparation for 7 the next Adescent of the piston 151. Then as the pistonV 151 descends in cylinder 150 with the lowering of` the head 55 the dapper-valveV 163 closes the openings 162 Yin the piston for causing the uid in cylinder 150 to control the descent of the head in the manner previously explainedQ This occurs only when the pedal 430 is de- Y '.press'edY to close contacts 422 inl-T8420 andas long as the switch Yremains in this condition the head 55 will be alternately raised and lowered for continuous operation the operators foot is raised to released the pedal 430 (Fig. 29) which is resiliently moved upward to open conf tacts 422 and close contacts 421. The closing of conf tacts 421 energizesrelay-'ICR to close contacts ICR-1, ICR-2 `and 1CR-3 and open contacts ICR-4. The circuit to relay ICR includes the following conductors'LI,

k2, contacts 421 in F5420, k3, f3, thereby by-passing the timer-relay contacts 'TR-1, and continuing beyondV the yendY of conductor k3 through limit-switch LS142, conductor f4, contacts ICR-1, f5, e3, relay ICR, e4 and L2. The energizing of relay'lCR closes contactsjlCR- to maintainrelay CR energized. The closing of contacts ICR-2 closes the circuit previously described for energizing solenoid S125 for clutching motor 75 to drive the f shaft 69 and thereby travel chain 65 for lifting the head 55 above |the table r2. i The head 55 continues to move 'upwardly until its plate 144 compressesand loadsV spring Y 147 to cause it to slide'the rod 140 upwardly for opene ing the limit switch LS142, opening of switch 1.5142Y de-energizes relay ICR, thereby opening the circuit through contacts ICR-2 to solenoid S125 for declutching motor 75 from shaft 69; it being understood that the timer-relay TR is ineffective at this juncture due to the fact that the circuit to the timerrelay contact TR-I is by- Y passed.

During this last explained raising of the upper head 55 the pressure-bars 170 are withdrawn by de-energizing the solenoid S214 for reversing the valve 215, the circuit through ICR-4 to solenoid S214 having been opened ask shown in Fig. 28 by energizing the contact-relay ICR.

In the meantime, the contacts 421 having been closed by release of the pedal 430 of switch F8420 the contacts 422 tacts ZCR-I will be open.

will be opened and consequently, the circuit to relay con- Immediately Vthe head 55 rises above the carton X the switch 371 will be opened to de-'energize relay 2CR, causing relay contacts 2CR-1 to close, the effect of this being nil inasmuch as contacts 422 in switch F5420 are open. The machine remains in this condition with the several electrically-controlled devices at rest but prepared for another cycle of operations to staple the top and bottom closure aps of a carton in the same manner as explained above.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 16 and 17, it is here noted that asV the cam 235 starts to rotate the rod 306 is slid by the spring 322 to re-engage the roller 305 with the clutch-operating lever 300 as the cam completes one revolution; and likewise during rotation of the cam 386 in the lower stitcher-head the rod 390 is` slid by its spring 393 (Fig. 16) to re-engage the roller 388 with the clutch-actuating lever 387. Thus the return of the clutch- Y operating levers to first position prepares the staple-applying mechanisms of the two heads for another cycle of operation.

To recapitulate, the sequence of operations of the com- Vplete machine is explained briefly as follows: With the Yupper head 55 supported in raised relationship, depression of the pedal 430 actuates foot-switch F8420 to energize solenoid 157 and open valve 156 for lowering the Y upper head. At the same time solenoid 214 is energized to cause pressure-bars 170 to close together into l Contact with `the sides of a carton X on table 2. As head approaches the end of its descent, trip lever 310 contacts the top of carton X and closes switch 371 to energize relay 2CR for de-energizing solenoid 157. The valve 156 is thereby closed to haltV the descent of stitcherhead 55. Thereupon, the pivoting of trip-lever 310 actuates lever 315 to shift rod 306 and withdraw roller 305 from clutch-lever 300 for clutching cam 235 to driveshaft 240. As cam 235 rotates its lobe 355 operates lever 348 to close switch 357 and energize solenoid 416. Solenoid 416 operates lever 405 in lower head 25 to withdraw roller 388 from lever 387 for clutching cam 386 to drive-shaft 380. Both stitcher-heads are thus started to f operate to apply single stapes to the top and bottom aps byV energization of solenoid 125 for driving sprocket 66 to travel chain 65. As head 55 begins to ascend trip-lever 310 drops and opens switch 371 to de-energize relay 2CR and close contacts 2CR-1. The closing of contacts 2CR-1 while contacts 422 in switch F8420 remain closed energizes solenoid 157 to open valve 156, whereupon the VupperV head 55 is free to start its descent to commence another cycle of operation.

Manual control of the lifting means for the upper head 55 may be accomplished through operation of the pushbutton switch 377, previously referred to as mounted on the framework 71 at the top `of the column 10. In case of emergency should the operation of the upper stitcherhead 55 be interfered with, for example, by jamming of a staple in its throat, the push-button switch 377 can be used to close a direct circuit for energizing the solenoid S125 to engage the clutch 72 for connecting the motor 75 to drive the shaft 69. The sprocket 66 at the end of the shaft 69 is thus caused to travel the chain 65 for raising the upper head 55 away from the carton on which it has been operating. The carriage 56 will continue to lift the head 55 until the contact plate 144 loads the spring 147 to slide the rod 140 upwardly and open the limit switch 1.8375, thereby kopening the circuit to de-energize the solenoid S125 and cause the motor to be declutched from the shaft 69. The stitcher-head 55 will therefore come to rest in its uppermost relationship and will so remain with the stapling mechanism inoperative until the jammed stape is removed or other dislocation of the mechanism of the head corrected. The main purpose for the auxiliary switch LS375 is to provide against accidental operation of the head-lifting mechanism, for example should the operator fail to remove his nger from the push-button of the switch 377 so that the closing of the circuit to the solenoid S125 is continued, the clutch means would remain driven from the motor 75 through the clutch to the shaft 69 and cause the sprocket 66 to tend to continue the upward travel of the chain 65 so that the rod 140 would exert unwarranted force against the lever 141 without arresting the drive from the motor 75 to the shaft 69. That is to say, current would be supplied to the solenoid S125 through the direct circuit from the pushbutton switch 377. The circuit from the push-button switch 377 to the auxiliary limit switch LS375 and thence to the solenoid S125 comprises the following conductors shown in Fig. 28, i. e., line L1, conductor h2, switch 377, h3, switch LS375, h4, solenoid 125, h and L2.

it will be understood that during the manual control of the lifting of the upper head by use of the switch 377 the operators foot must be removed from the pedal 434i so that the contacts 421 are closed. The circuit from the contacts 421 is explained in connection with the diagram of Fig. 29.

It is to be understood that the present invention is herein shown and described as embodied in a preferred form of construction. However, modiiications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the various parts of the machine without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims and therefore, without limitation in this respect, I claim:

l. in a machine for sealing cartons and other containers, a table for supporting containers to feed therealong and formed with an .opening therein, a stitcherhead mounted beneath the table and having staple-applying means adapted to operate through the opening therein, a second stitcher-head mounted to move vertically above said table, a motor for driving each stitcher-head, poweroperated means for raising said second stitcher-head, means for releasing said raising means to cause gravity to lower said second stitcher-head into contact with a container on the table, and electrical means operated by contact of the container for connecting each stitcher-head for operation by its individual motor to apply staples to the top and bottom of the container for sealing it.

2. In a machine for sealing cartons and other containers, a table for supporting a container to feed therealong, said table formed with an opening therethrough, a stitcherhead mounted beneath the table and having stapling means for operation through the opening therein, a second stitcher-head mounted for vertical movement toward and away from said table, a motor for operating each stitcher-head, means for raising said second stitcher-head above said table, means for releasing said raising means to cause gravity to lower said stitcher-head into contact with a container on the table, means engageable with the container during the lowering of the second stitcher-head, and means operated by engagement of said last-named means with the container for connecting said motors to their respective stitcher-heads for operating them to apply staples to the top and bottom of the container.

3. ln a machine for sealing cartons and other containers, a table for supporting a container to feed therealong, said table formed with an opening therethrough, a stitcherhead mounted beneath the table and having stapling means for operation through the opening therein, a second stitcher-head mounted for vertical movement toward and away from said table, a motor for driving each stitcherhead, power means for raising said second stitcher-head above said table, means for releasing said raising means to cause gravity to lower said second stitcher-head into Contact with a container on the table, means engageable with the container during the lowering of the second stitcherhead, means operated by engagement of said last-named means with the container to connect both motors with their respective stitcher-heads for applying staples to the top and bottom of the container, and means for adjusting the extent of upward movement of said second stitcherhead in proportion to the height of the container being sealed.

4. in a machine for sealing cartons and like containers, a table for supporting containers to feed therealong, a stitcher-head, power means for operating said stitcherhead, means for raising said stitcher-head relatively to said table, electrical means actuated by contact with a container as the stitcher-head is lowered relatively thereto to connect said power means to operate the stitcherhead for applying staples to the container, and means operated automatically for raising the stitcher-head after the application of each staple to the container to permit said container to be fed forwardly to apply a plurality of staples in series therealong.

5. in a machine of the type indicated, a table for supporting containers to feed therealong, a stitcher-head supported above said table, pressure-members slidably mounted above said table to move toward each other, an endless chain connected to said pressure-members, and pneumaticaliy-ope'rated means for traveling said chain to move said pressure-members into contact with the sides of the container to locate it for operation thereon by the stitcher-head.

6. In a machine of the type indicated, a table for supporting containers to feed therealong, a stitcheread supported above said table, a pair of pressure-members mounted to move toward each other for contact with the sides of a container to locate it with respect to said stitcher-head, an endless chain having its opposite reaches connected to the opposite pressure-members, a cylinder, a piston slidable in said cylinder, said piston connected to travel the chain in opposite directions, pneumatic means for sliding the piston, and automatically-operated means for admitting pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder for sliding the piston in opposite directions to move the pressure-members toward each other to contact the container and locate it in position for operation thereon and to withdraw said members from the sides of the container after each stitching operation is completed.

7. In a machine for sealing containers, means for supporting the containers, stapling means mounted above a container on the supporting means, pressure-members movable for contacting the sides of the container to position it for operation thereon by the stapling means, a cylinder for iuid pressure, a piston reciprocable by pressure in said cylinder, a four-way valve for controlling the pressure in the cylinder, conduits ieading from said valve to opposite ends of the cylinder, and electricallyoperated means for automatically actuating said valve to direct the pressure in the cylinder for moving the piston 

